Curling-tongs



(No Model.)

G. L. THOMPSON. GURLING TONGS.

No. 482,702. Patented Sept. 13, I892.

\SLw i w 660736 L zo-rryos'orv UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE GEORGE L.THOMPSON, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

CURLING-TONGS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 482,702, datedSeptember 13, 1892 Application filed November 10, 1891. Serial No.411,497. (No model.)

as is commonly used by professional hairdressers.

The object of the invention is to produce an implement of this charactorthat may be more easily manipulated than those in general use and whichat the same time may be easily and economically manufactured.

Theinveution consists in the matters to be described in the followingspecification, and particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure l is a perspective view of a pairof curling-tongs embodying my improvements, thejaws being shown in theiropen position. Fig. 2 is a plan View of the same, showing the jawsclosed.

The implement shown comprises a jaw A, having the form of a solidmandrel, preferably of cylindric form, and a jaw B, pivoted to the jawAand of concavo-convex or semi-tubular form and constitutinga clasp. SaidjawB is provided at its inner end with an arm or prolongation Bextending somewhat beyond the point of pivotal connection between thejaws.

The mandrel A is provided with a rigid handle A, and a handle B ispivotally connected at its inner end with the extremityof the arm orextension B by a pivot-pin I). Said handle B is also attached to one endof a connecting bar or link C, the other end of which is connected withthe rigid handle A.

Owing to this arrangement but a slight movement of the pivoted handle Bon its fulcrum is required to separate the jaws the required distance,as this movement is multiplied by the pivotal connection I) and D, theproportion being in the instance shown about one to three. This featureaffords great ease of manipulation, as the necessary movement of thepivoted handle is so slight as not to tire with two bends about itsmiddle length, form ing a reversed or ogee curve a, said jaw and handlebeing therefore rigid or unjointed. The blank or rod forming the jaw Aand handle A is preferably cylindric and made of drawn metal, and thatend of the rod which forms the outer part of the handle A is preferablyreduced in diameter, desirably by the operation of a swaging-machine, togive a more convenient hand-hold and reduce the weight of the implement.A transverse opening is formed in the jaw at the forward end of the ogeecurve a to receive a pin D, by which the jaw B is pivoted upon the rigidjaw A.

The pivoted jaw B is, as shown, constructed of a blank of sheet metal,which blank is struck up in a die-press or otherwise to formaconcavo-convex or semi-tubular body, shaped to fit snugly upon the rigidjaw A and provided near its inner end with laterally-extending lugs orears I) b, pierced to receive the ends of the pivot'pin D, which passesthrough the inner end of the jaw A. The inner end of the blank, whichforms the extension or arm 13*, is bent outward in a curve correspondinggenerally with the forward part of the ogee curve a, and is providedwith transverse openings to receive a pin 17, by which the arm ispivotally connected with the end of the handle B.

The link C is made of a length approximating twice the depth of saidogee curve a, and said link consists in the instance shown of a metalstrap doubled upon itself to form an eye at one end, which embraces thehandle A and is secured thereto by a pin 0 or otherwise, the other endof the link being forked to receive the handle B, which is pivotedwithin said fork by a pin 0. The sides of the strap are also securedtogether by a rivet 0 arranged about midway between the ends of thelink.

Theforward end of the pivoted handle B is bent inward on a curvecorresponding approximately with the rear part of the ogee curve a, andis, as before stated, connected by a pivot-pin b with the rearoutwardlycurved extension or arm B of the semi-tubular jaw 13. Thehandle 13 is also preferably made cylindrical and of drawn metal, andits outer part is reduced in diameter to correspond with the handle A.Said handle B is preferably notched at its sides to receive the fork oflink C, thus avoiding projecting ends and giving a neat finish to thearticle.

The parts of the tongs are either before or after assemblage dressed andbuffed or polished to afford a smooth neat exterior and maybe platedwith nickel or silver to prevent oxidation.

Owing to the construction described a material saving is effected in thecost of manufacture as compared with tongs in ordinary use, wherein thetwo members of the tongs, each constituting a rigid handle and jaw,cross each other and are connected at the crossing-point by aclosely-fitting joint.

It will be understood that the bends between the jaws and straight partof the handles may be of other forms than those shown, and it is notessential that both handles be bent, as either one may be straight or inline with its jaw.

The link 0 may either have a slight rocking movement on the rigid handleA, to which it is connected to give freedom of movement to the handle Bon its pivot c, or any one of many expedients may be resorted to with aview to compensate for the change of distance between the pivot D andthe pivot or fulcrum 0 incidental to the operation of the pivoted handleA and its jaw Asuch, for instance, as the employment of a link 0, havingsome flexibility, or providing a longitudinal slot in said pivotedhandle B for the reception of either the pivot-pin b or c.

What I claim is- 1. A curling-ton gs comprising two jaws, one of whichforms the mandrel and the otherthe clasp of the tongs, said jaws beingpivoted together at their inner ends, handles for the jaws, and a linkpivoted at its opposite ends to the handles between the ends of thelatter, one of said jaws being rigid with its handle and the other jawbeing pivoted to its handle at a point between the pivot connecting thelatter handle with said link and the pivot which connects the jaws witheach other, substantially as described.

2. A curlingtongs comprising a cylindric jaw, a concave jaw of sheetmetal, provided with ears by which it is pivoted on the cylindric jawand with an extension or arm adjacent to its pivot, a handle for thecylindric jaw, forming an extension of the same, a handle for theconcave jaw, pivotally connected with said arm or extensionthereof,andalink connecting said handles, substantially as described.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my invention I affix mysignature in presence of two witnesses.

GEORGE L. THOMPSON.

WVitnesses:

O. CLARENCE POOLE, GEORGE W. HIGGINS, J r.

